Brekiya Now Available for Migraine, Cluster Headache Treatment

Brekiya^®, a ready-to-use dihydroergotamine (DHE) autoinjector, is now available for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura and the acute treatment of cluster headaches in adults.

Brekiya is supplied as a 1mL prefilled single-dose autoinjector containing 1mg/mL of DHE, an ergotamine derivative. In patients with migraine, the therapeutic activity of DHE is generally attributed to the agonist effects at 5-HT_1D receptors. 

Brekiya does not require refrigeration, assembly, or priming of the device. The treatment is administered subcutaneously into the skin of the middle thigh. The dose may be repeated, as needed, at 1-hour intervals to a maximum of 3mg (3 doses) in a 24-hour period. Patients should not exceed 6 doses in a week.

Prior to initiating Brekiya, a cardiovascular evaluation is recommended as serious cardiac events have been reported with DHE injection use. The prescribing information also includes a Boxed Warning regarding the risk of peripheral ischemia if taken with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, as well as other contraindications. 

“We are excited to introduce Brekiya autoinjector, making this innovative therapy broadly available to health care providers and patients,” said Joe Renda, Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer – Specialty. “As the first and only self-administered, ready-to-use DHE autoinjector, Brekiya offers patients the ability to treat debilitating attacks in a convenient way and avoid visits to the emergency room.”

Each carton of Brekiya contains 4 single-dose autoinjectors. The product is available with prescription exclusively through Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy and Sterling Specialty Pharmacy.

This article originally appeared on MPR